November 5, 2025

Marie's Message

Honoring Veterans & Celebrating Service:

November 2025

Greetings from the SERVE Community of Practice

As we observe Veterans Day this November, the newly established Supporting Extension’s Resources for Veteran Engagement (SERVE) Community of Practice extends heartfelt appreciation to all who have served. This year, we are highlighting the military services as they approach their 250th anniversaries in 2025, leading up to our nation’s 250th birthday next summer.

Many veterans have chosen Wisconsin as their home after service, and we are proud to recognize their contributions and the state’s strong military connections.

Spotlight on the ‘Younger’ Services and Wisconsin Connections

U.S. Coast Guard

· Founded: August 4, 1790
· Reserve Birthday: February 19, 1941
· Wisconsin Ties: Sturgeon Bay is a designated Coast Guard City, and both Sturgeon    Bay and Milwaukee host active stations focused on search and rescue and ice rescue    missions.

U.S. Air Force

· Founded: September 18, 1947
· Air National Guard & Reserve Birthdays: September 18, 1947 & April 14, 1948
· Wisconsin Ties: UW–Madison Air Force ROTC program
   115th Fighter Wing in Madison (F-35 Lightning II aircraft)
   128th Air Refueling Wing in Milwaukee (KC-135 Stratotanker)
   Volk Field Combat Readiness Training Center in Camp Douglas

U.S. Space Force

· Founded: December 20, 2019
· Wisconsin Ties: Julia Fensterwald, a Verona High School graduate, was among the    first women from Wisconsin to join the Space Force, transferring from the Air Force in    2020.

This month, we honor all veterans and celebrate the enduring legacy of service, leadership, and community that they bring to Wisconsin and beyond.

Thanks to all of our 4-H parents and alumni for their service to the United States of America!

Marie

Marie Witzel
Positive Youth Development Educator
UW Extension - Dodge County
920-386-3790
marie.witzel@wisc.edu

If clubs or groups have items to share, send them by noon on Monday to be included in that week’s issue. Anything received after 12 p.m. Monday will be considered for the following week. 

With all of the changes in the Extension Office, Please send any 4-H or youth development related emails to marie.witzel@wisc.edu

This year’s Columbus Firehouse Trick-or-Treat and Elementary PTO Trunk-or-Treat events gave kids a tasty surprise—string cheese! Thanks to a generous donation from Rolling Hills Dairy Producers Cooperative, more than 1,000 individually wrapped cheese sticks were handed out by the Astico Perseverance 4-H Club during the community festivities.

The dairy-themed booth was a standout among the candy tables, giving families a chance to enjoy a wholesome, Wisconsin-made snack while learning about the benefits of dairy. "This event reaches more families than our traditional dairy month activities”, said organizers. “It’s fun, interactive, and puts dairy directly into kids’ hands.”

Every fall, Wisconsin 4-H encourages members (ages 13-18) to complete a survey about their 4-H experience. The survey will help Wisconsin 4-H to learn about the quality of our programs.  

The survey will be sent to all eligible Wisconsin 4-H members by e-mail in the first week of November. Youth who complete the survey will be entered into a raffle to win a $25 gift card! Youth who attend Fall Forum will have the opportunity to complete the survey at that time.

For more information on the 4-H Thriving Model, visit 4-H Thriving Model – Wisconsin 4-H 

Please keep an eye out for messages and more information about this important survey. 

Experience hands-on science involving weird sounds, eerie lights and creepy sights through fun and engaging activities. Youth will share insights at a series of Exploration Stations, connect with scientists, and engage in a presentations. Dress for the weather because some stations will be outside!

Age: K-13th grade – K-5 participants must have a parent/guardian/adult present during the event. Parents/guardians of youth in 6 grade+ are also welcome to stay during the event, but not required.

Please share…Friends welcome! Youth do not need to be in 4-H to attend the 4-H Science Fright-Night, but do need to register.

🚜💡 Is your teen ready to explore the future of farming? Join the 4-H AI in Agriculture Challenge and discover how artificial intelligence can solve real-world ag problems!

👥 Ages 13–18
🧠 Hands-on STEM learning
🏆 National prizes
📅 Deadline: November 15
Let’s innovate together and grow the future of agriculture! 🌱

Save the Date - Dodge County 4-H New Family Orientation

Join us for a fun and informative evening to welcome new families to 4-H!
Meet leaders, ask questions, and enjoy activities led by 4-H youth members.

There’s something fun for everyone in Dodge County 4-H!

Two Camps Available:
🐾 Junior Zoo Apprentice Camp (Ages 11–13)
🦒 Zoo Apprentice Camp (Ages 14+)

🗓️ Registration Deadline: December 8, 2025
✈️ Arrive: Fly or drive—plan to arrive at Busch Gardens in Tampa by 11 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 27
🚗 Depart: Fly or drive home—don’t plan to leave until after 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 31
💵 Fee: $975 + airfare

It's that time, Wisconsin 4-H!🍦🍀
Cedar Crest Ice Cream and the Wisconsin 4-H Foundation have teamed up once again to present the “Cedar Crest Ice Cream 4-H Flavor Creation Contest” for Wisconsin 4-H clubs. All Wisconsin 4-H clubs are eligible to submit their ideas for a new ice cream flavor, along with a flavor description and interesting flavor name. Entries are being accepted now through November 15!

For contest information, rules and the entry form, please click the button below:

NOVEMBER

18 - 4-H Leaders Association Meeting

27 - Happy Thanksgiving (Office Closed)

28 - Office Closed

PYD Media Collection Project Resources Follow the link to learn more about the collection and request materials.

4HOnline  Log in to your account at the Wisconsin 4-H Online Sign in page

Visit the Wisconsin 4-H Website

WI 4-H Policy Updates

The University of Wisconsin–Madison Division of Extension provides equal opportunities in employment and programming in compliance with state and federal law.

University of Wisconsin-Madison, Division of Extension
Dodge County 4-H
Extension Dodge County  127 E. Oak Street  Juneau, WI 53039-1329
tel: 920.386.3790    fax: 920.386.3928